Le professionnel

This is one of the best french action movie made in the 80's. This has nothing to do with a today's block buster from Hollywood, but the famous cues from Michel Audiard and the "Chi Mai" music from Ennio Morricone participate in creating an atmosphere that will keep you under suspense till the deadly end. There are some scenes that appear to be very old now (the one with the computer is quite comic today) and some others that you will remember for the text. To conclude : a tremendous script, Audiard's cues, Morricones's music, some handmade fights and a spectacular cars'pursuit in the most famous streets of Paris. And you still doesn't want to see this film ?

This has to be, without a doubt, one of Jean-Paul Belmondo's finest hours on screen.

I can only guess that "Le Professionnel" is the kind of movie that helped inspire future action-directors like Luc Besson, the way it mixes raw violence with quirky charm and last but not least: some memorable, often cartoonish characters: Robert Hossein is creepy as hell as police captain Rosen, and Belmondo ignites the screen with charm and charisma, so much that the scene with the helicopter will just tear your heart out.

This French little gem has thrills, action and even a few laughs, it includes such showstoppers as a car-chase in front of the Eiffel Tower (!) and even a wild west style duel in broad daylight on the streets of Paris. To top it all of the soundtrack includes one of Ennio Morricone's most famous movie themes!

In short: highly recommended for fans of European action movies.

You can certainly watch this film for the music of Ennio Morricone and be thoroughly entertained.

You can also enjoy the acting of Jean-Paul Belmondo (Pierrot le fou, The Forgiven Sinner) and you will not be disappointed.

The direction of Georges Lautner was superb.

There is enough action in this film to satisfy anyone: fights, car chases, shootouts, and great naturals on display. It combines the original Day of the Jackal, and The Bourne Identity.

Sure, it doesn't have all the special effects of modern spy flicks, and you have to actually pay attention to the dialog to enjoy it, but it is a classic example of great acting.

Jean-Paul Belmondo is on trial for trying to kill Pierre Saintons, the military dictator of an African country. He won't say who hired him, he's heavily drugged, and eventually he is sent to prison. Two years later, he escapes and returns to Paris to take another crack at the job; his former colleagues in the French Secret Service, who sold him out when the political winds changed, try to stop him.

It's one of those roles in which Belmondo does things, which is what made him so attractive as a New Wave anti-hero. He's still playing the anti-hero, of course, but there are no heroes, just middle-aged bureaucrats, thugs , and beautiful women. He lets you see the years and weariness creep up on him, particularly in the scenes with Michel Beaune. Mostly, though, he is what the title of the movie suggests, a thorough professional, who takes well-calculated risks that confound the people who try to stop him; they are worried about their jobs, their futures, their remaining ideals of right and wrong, and utility. He's just doing a job, and if he survives, well and good, and if not..... well, that was a possibility all along.

There are not many movies which impressed me as much as this one. Everything is perfect, actors, story and as the best) the music of Ennio Morricone..... One of the movies you can see as much as you want...you will never be bored! Forget modern/new action movies made in Hollywood. See this one. Today no one makes movies like this any more... Just unbelievabel and great!